Air cleaner

Abstract

To improve the efficiency of filter replacement work. [Solution] A filter (71) is installed inside the cleaner case (51) of the air cleaner (50). The air cleaner is provided with an inlet tube (54) for taking air into the cleaner case, a holder (72) for holding the filter inside the cleaner case, and a linear fixing device (81) for clamping and fixing the filter between the holder and the holder. The inlet tube or the cleaner case has a temporary fixing portion (55) that can hold a part of the linear fixing device when the filter is released from the linear fixing device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air cleaner.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as an air cleaner, one in which a cup-shaped filter is installed in a cleaner case is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the air cleaner described in Patent Document 1, a holder is provided in the cleaner case, and the filter is bolted to the holder. An intake hole is formed in the upper surface of the cleaner case on the upstream side of the filter, and an outlet tube is connected to the front surface of the cleaner case on the downstream side of the filter. The air taken into the cleaner case from the intake hole is filtered by the filter and sent to the outlet tube.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the air cleaner described in Patent Document 1, since the filter is bolted to the holder, the attachment / detachment work is troublesome. There is also a configuration in which the filter is fixed by holding both ends of a thin wire spring-shaped filter spring in the cleaner case. However, there is a problem that when one end of the filter spring is removed from the cleaner case and the filter spring is suspended in the air, it interferes with the filter replacement work.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such points, and an object thereof is to provide an air cleaner capable of improving the workability of filter replacement work.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An air cleaner according to one aspect of the present invention is an air cleaner in which a filter is installed inside a cleaner case, comprising an inlet tube for taking air into the cleaner case, a holder for holding the filter inside the cleaner case, and a linear fixing device for clamping and fixing the filter between the holder, wherein the inlet tube or the cleaner case is formed with a temporary fixing portion capable of holding a part of the linear fixing device when the filter is released from the linear fixing device, thereby solving the above problem. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, when the filter is released from the linear fixing device, a portion of the linear fixing device is held in place by a temporary fixing portion. The suspended linear fixing device does not obstruct the replacement of the filter, improving the workability of the filter replacement process. Furthermore, by providing a temporary fixing portion on the inlet tube or cleaner case, additional parts are not required, and the intake airflow is not obstructed by the temporary fixing portion. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a left side view of the saddle-type vehicle in this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a side view of the air cleaner in this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a front view of the air cleaner in this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a side view of the air cleaner in this embodiment with the cap removed. [Figure 5] These are a front view and a side view of the inlet tube of this embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view of the area around the air cleaner holder in this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, an air cleaner is installed inside the cleaner case. The air cleaner case is provided with an inlet tube for taking in air. Inside the cleaner case is a holder for holding the filter, and the filter is clamped and fixed by the holder and a linear fastener. The inlet tube or cleaner case is provided with a temporary fixing portion, and when the filter is released from the linear fastener, a part of the linear fastener is held by the temporary fixing portion. The filter is not obstructed by the suspended linear fastener, improving the workability of the filter replacement work. In addition, the provision of a temporary fixing portion on the inlet tube or cleaner case eliminates the need for additional parts, and the intake air flow is not obstructed by the temporary fixing portion. [Examples]

[0010] The saddle-type vehicle of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Figure 1 is a left side view of the saddle-type vehicle of this embodiment. In the following figures, arrow Fr indicates the front of the vehicle, arrow Re indicates the rear of the vehicle, arrow L indicates the left side of the vehicle, and arrow R indicates the right side of the vehicle.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the saddle-type vehicle 1 is constructed by mounting various components such as the engine 41 and electrical systems on a vehicle frame 10. A pair of tank rails 12 extend diagonally downward and to the rear from the head pipe 11 of the vehicle frame 10, and a pair of body frames 13 extend downward from the rear of the pair of tank rails 12. In addition, a down frame 14 extends downward from the head pipe 11, and a rearward-bent under loop 15 is connected to the lower part of the down frame 14. The rear end of the under loop 15 is connected to the lower part of the pair of body frames 13, so that the vehicle frame 10 is formed in a cradle shape.

[0012] A steering shaft (not shown) supports a front fork 21 on the head pipe 11 so that it can be steered. A handlebar 22 is provided on the upper part of the front fork 21, and a front wheel 23 is rotatably supported on the lower part of the front fork 21. A fuel tank (not shown) is placed over a pair of tank rails 12, and the pair of tank rails 12 and the fuel tank are covered by a tank cover 16 and a pair of front side covers 17. A seat 25 is installed behind the tank cover 16, and a seat frame (not shown) that supports the seat 25 from below is covered from the side by a pair of rear side covers 18.

[0013] A swingarm 26 is pivotably supported on the body frame 13. The swingarm 26 extends rearward from the body frame 13, and a rear wheel 27 is rotatably supported at the rear end of the swingarm 26. The front of the swingarm 26 and the lower part of the rear suspension 31 are connected via a cushion lever 32. The cushion lever 32 and the body frame 13 are also connected via a cushion rod 33. As the swingarm 26 pivots, the rear suspension 31 expands and contracts, absorbing road surface irregularities and suppressing vibrations, while also improving the contact between the road surface and the rear wheel 27.

[0014] The engine 41 is a single-cylinder engine and is suspended inside the vehicle frame 10 via suspension brackets 34-36. A cylinder assembly, consisting of a cylinder 43, cylinder head 44, and cylinder head cover 45, is mounted on the upper surface of the crankcase 42 of the engine 41. An exhaust pipe 46 is connected to the front of the cylinder head 44. The exhaust pipe 46 extends to the rear, passing to the right of the cylinder 43, and an upward-sloping muffler 47 is connected to the downstream side of the exhaust pipe 46. An intake device, such as an air cleaner 50, is installed behind the cylinder head 44.

[0015] Incidentally, the air cleaner has a work window covered by a cap, and the filter is replaced by removing the cap from the work window. When a wire spring is used to fix the filter, both ends of the spring are attached to the air cleaner so as to hold the filter in place. The filter can be attached or detached by removing one end of the spring from the air cleaner, but the spring is suspended from the air cleaner, making it difficult to attach or detach the filter. Therefore, in this embodiment, the spring is temporarily fixed to the inlet pipe of the air cleaner so as not to hinder the filter replacement work.

[0016] The air cleaner will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 6. Figure 2 is a side view of the air cleaner of this embodiment. Figure 3 is a front view of the air cleaner of this embodiment. Figure 4 is a side view of the air cleaner of this embodiment with the cap removed. Figure 5 is a front and side view of the inlet tube of this embodiment. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the area around the holder of the air cleaner of this embodiment. Note that Figure 6 shows the cleaner case and filter removed.

[0017] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the air cleaner 50 is constructed by sandwiching a separator plate 65 between the dirty-side cleaner case 51 and the clean-side outlet tube 61. The cleaner case 51 is formed in the shape of a triangular box when viewed from the side, with an open front, and a filter 71 (see Figure 4) is installed inside the cleaner case 51. A work window 52 (see Figure 4) is formed on the left side of the cleaner case 51, and a side cap 53 is detachably attached to the work window 52. By removing the side cap 53 from the cleaner case 51, the filter 71 inside the cleaner case 51 can be replaced periodically.

[0018] The upstream side of the outlet tube 61 is a chamber portion 62 that is continuous with the cleaner case 51, and the downstream side of the outlet tube 61 is a passage portion 63 that faces the engine 41 (see FIG. 1). The chamber portion 62 curves to the left so as to avoid the rear suspension 31 (see FIG. 1) toward the front, and a cylindrical passage portion 63 protrudes forward from the front end of the chamber portion 62. The separate plate 65 forms the front wall of the cleaner case 51, and an opening (not shown) that connects the intake chamber in the cleaner case 51 and the intake passage in the outlet tube 61 is formed at the center of the separate plate 65.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 4, a filter 71 formed in a cup shape of urethane foam is installed inside the cleaner case 51. The filter 71 removes foreign substances in the air flowing into the cleaner case 51 and sends normal air into the outlet tube 61. The air cleaner 50 is partitioned into a dirty side and a clean side by the filter 71. A disc-shaped holder 72 enters the concave surface of the filter 71, and the filter 71 is held from the inside by the holder 72. The back surface of the filter 71 is pressed by a wire spring-shaped spring (linear fixture) 81, and the filter 71 is clamped and fixed between the holder 72 and the spring 81.

[0020] An inlet tube 54 is provided on the upper surface of the rear part of the cleaner case 51, and air is taken into the cleaner case 51 from the inlet tube 54. A temporary fixing portion 55 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inlet tube 54, and when the filter 71 is released from the spring 81, a part of the spring 81 is held by the temporary fixing portion 55. The temporary fixing portion 55 is composed of a pair of ridge-shaped protrusions extending in parallel, and the spring 81 is sandwiched and temporarily fixed between the pair of ridge-shaped protrusions. Further, the temporary fixing portion 55 is located above the protrusion portion 74 of the holder 72 described later, and the spring 81 is held at a high position by the temporary fixing portion 55.

[0021] As shown in Figure 5, the cross-section of the inlet tube 54 perpendicular to the axial direction is formed in an elliptical shape (rounded rectangle shape). The front and rear surfaces of the inlet tube 54 are formed to be wide, while both sides of the inlet tube 54 are formed to be narrow. A temporary fastening portion 55 is provided from the front to the left side of the inlet tube 54. Because the temporary fastening portion 55 extends to the left side of the inlet tube 54, the temporary fastening portion 55 is exposed from the work window 52 (see Figure 4) of the cleaner case 51 when viewed from the side. This improves the visibility of the temporary fastening portion 55 from the work window 52 and makes it easier to hold the spring 81 (see Figure 4).

[0022] The inlet tube 54 is attached to the opening of the cleaner case 51. A flange 56 protrudes radially outward from the top of the inlet tube 54. A fitting groove 57 is formed around the entire circumference of the outer edge of the flange 56, and the opening edge of the cleaner case 51 is fitted into this fitting groove 57 of the flange 56. The front-to-back and left-to-right dimensions of the inlet tube 54 at the position of the temporary fixing part 55 are smaller than the front-to-back and left-to-right dimensions of the inlet tube 54 at the position of the flange 56. Therefore, the temporary fixing part 55 does not get in the way when the inlet tube 54 is attached to the opening of the cleaner case 51.

[0023] As shown in Figure 6, the outer edge of the holder 72 is formed by a circular ring portion 73 that follows the opening of the separate plate 65. A projection 74 is positioned in the center of the ring portion 73, and a plurality of bridges 76 extend radially from the projection 74. The ring portion 73 and the projection 74 are integrated via the plurality of bridges 76. The projection 74 protrudes toward the cleaner case 51, and the projection 74 is inserted into a through hole (not shown) in the center of the filter 71 (see Figure 4). A retaining groove 75 is formed at the tip of the projection 74, and a spring 81 is detachably held in the retaining groove 75 of the projection 74 protruding from the back surface of the filter 71.

[0024] The spring 81 is formed by bending spring wire into an approximately M-shape. Triangular loop portions 82 and 83 are formed at both ends of the spring 81, and these loop portions 82 and 83 are hooked onto a pair of hooks 66 and 67 provided on the separate plate 65. The pair of hooks 66 and 67 on the separate plate 65 are positioned diagonally opposite each other with the holder 72 in between, and the center of the spring 81 is aligned with the retaining groove 75 in the center of the holder 72. As the spring 81 is held in the retaining groove 75, the spring force of the spring 81 pushes the holder 72 toward the separate plate 65.

[0025] Hook 66 is located on the left side of holder 72 (towards work window 52) below projection 74, and hook 67 is located on the right side of holder 72 above projection 74. The left hook 66 has a shorter return portion than the right hook 67, and the loop portion (one end) 82 of spring 81 is detachably attached to the left hook 66. A handle portion 84 that receives operation of spring 81 is formed between the loop portion 82 and the central portion of spring 81. The handle portion 84 is formed by bending a part of spring 81 into a circular shape, and the provision of the handle portion 84 on spring 81 improves operability.

[0026] The filter replacement procedure will be explained with reference to Figure 7. Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram of the filter replacement procedure in this embodiment.

[0027] As shown in Figure 7(A), with the filter 71 fixed by the spring 81, the holder 72 is installed inside the cup-shaped filter 71, and the projection 74 of the holder 72 protrudes from the back of the filter 71. The loops 82 and 83 at both ends of the spring 81 are hooked onto the pair of hooks 66 and 67 of the separate plate 65, and the central part of the spring 81 is held in the retaining groove 75 at the tip of the projection 74 protruding from the back of the filter 71. The holder 72 is pressed against the separate plate 65 by the spring 81, and the filter 71 is sandwiched between the holder 72 and the spring 81.

[0028] The circular handle portion 84 of the spring 81 is positioned behind the filter 71, and in a side view, the handle portion 84 is exposed through the work window 52 of the cleaner case 51. The handle portion 84 is not recessed into the urethane foam filter 71, making it easy to grip the handle portion 84 and operate the spring 81. In addition, the loop portion 82 at one end of the spring 81 is hooked onto the hook 66 (see Figure 6) on the work window 52 side (left side) of the filter 71, and in a side view, the loop portion 82 at one end of the spring 81 is exposed through the work window 52 of the cleaner case 51. The loop portion 82 is attached to and detached from the hook 66 while being visible through the work window 52.

[0029] As shown in Figure 7(B), when the filter 71 is released from the spring 81, the spring 81 is held in place by the temporary fastening portion 55 of the inlet tube 54. The spring 81 is shaped such that it does not interfere with the replacement of the filter 71 while it is held in place by the temporary fastening portion 55. Approximately half of the other end of the spring 81 is positioned above the filter 71, and approximately half of the one end of the spring 81 is positioned behind the filter 71. In this way, the spring 81 is held in place by the temporary fastening portion 55 in a position where it does not overlap the filter 71 when viewed from the side.

[0030] In a side view, the temporary fastening portion 55 is exposed through the work window 52 of the cleaner case 51. The temporary fastening portion 55 is easily visible through the work window 52, ​​making it easy to attach and detach the linear fastener to the temporary fastening portion 55. Also, in a side view, the loop portion 82 at one end of the spring 81 is exposed through the work window 52. In this case, the loop portion 82 is located on the work window 52 side (left side) of the inlet tube 54, and in a side view, the loop portion 82 is located behind the front end position P of the inlet tube 54. The spring 81 is attached to and detached from the temporary fastening portion 55 while the loop portion 82 is visible through the work window 52. The front end position P indicates the position when the axial direction of the filter 71 is considered as the front-to-back direction.

[0031] As described above, the loop portion 82 of the spring 81 is exposed through the work window 52 not only when the filter 71 is fixed (see Figure 7(A)), but also when the filter 71 is released. The loop portion 82 of the spring 81 is easily visible or grasped through the work window 52 of the cleaner case 51, making it easier to fix and release the filter 71 with the spring 81. Although the loop portion 82 is exposed through the work window 52, ​​it is positioned to the left of the inlet tube 54, and sufficient space is secured in front of the loop portion 82. Therefore, the loop portion 82 is less likely to interfere with the filter 71 replacement work through the work window 52.

[0032] With the spring 81 held in place by the temporary fastening portion 55, the handle portion 84 (see Figure 5) is positioned on the side of the inlet tube 54 facing the work window 52 (left side). Sufficient space is provided in front of the handle portion 84, so that the handle portion 84 does not easily interfere with the replacement of the filter 71 through the work window 52. Furthermore, in a side view, the work window 52 is trapezoidal, with the front half of the work window 52 being wider than the rear half. The spring 81 is exposed in the rear half of the work window 52, ​​and the replacement of the filter 71 is performed using the wider front half of the work window 52, ​​so that the spring 81 does not interfere when replacing the filter 71.

[0033] As described above, with the air cleaner 50 of this embodiment, when the filter 71 is released from the spring 81, a portion of the spring 81 is held in place by the temporary fixing portion 55. The suspension of the spring 81 does not hinder the replacement of the filter 71, improving the workability of the filter replacement work. In addition, the provision of the temporary fixing portion 55 on the inlet tube 54 eliminates the need for additional parts, and the temporary fixing portion 55 does not obstruct the intake airflow.

[0034] In this embodiment, the spring is formed from spring wire bent into a roughly M shape, but the shape of the spring is not particularly limited as long as it can clamp and fix the filter between itself and the holder.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, both ends of the spring are formed by triangular loop portions, but the shape of both ends of the spring is not particularly limited as long as they are formed to be held in the air cleaner.

[0036] In this embodiment, hooks are formed on the separate plate to hook the loop portions at both ends of the spring, but hooks may also be formed on the cleaner case to hook the loop portions.

[0037] In this embodiment, a work window is formed on the left side of the cleaner case, but a work window may also be formed on the right side of the cleaner case. In this case, a temporary fixing section is provided from the front to the right side of the inlet tube, and one end of the spring is detachably hooked to a hook on the right side of the filter.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the temporary fastening portion is formed by a pair of ridge-like protrusions, but the shape of the temporary fastening portion is not particularly limited as long as it can detachably hold the spring.

[0039] Furthermore, although the temporary fastening portion is provided on the inlet tube in this embodiment, the temporary fastening portion may also be provided on the cleaner case. For example, the temporary fastening portion may be provided near the opening edge of the work window of the cleaner case.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cross-section of the inlet tube perpendicular to the axial direction is formed in an elliptical shape, but the cross-sectional shape of the inlet tube is not particularly limited. The cross-sectional shape of the inlet tube may be, for example, circular or square.

[0041] In this embodiment, the filter is made of urethane foam, but the filter may also be made of a paper type filter or a cotton gauze type filter.

[0042] Furthermore, the air cleaner of this embodiment may be used not only in the saddle-type vehicle described above, but also in other types of saddle-type vehicles. Note that the term "saddle-type vehicle" is not limited to all vehicles in which the driver sits straddling a seat, but also includes scooter-type vehicles in which the driver does not straddle a seat.

[0043] As described above, the first embodiment is an air cleaner (50) in which a filter (71) is installed inside a cleaner case (51), comprising an inlet tube (54) for taking air into the cleaner case, a holder (72) for holding the filter inside the cleaner case, and a linear fixing device (spring 81) for clamping and fixing the filter between the holder and the holder, wherein the inlet tube or cleaner case has a temporary fixing portion (55) that can hold a part of the linear fixing device when the filter is released from the linear fixing device. With this configuration, when the filter is released from the linear fixing device, a part of the linear fixing device is held by the temporary fixing portion. The filter replacement is not hindered by the suspended linear fixing device, improving the workability of the filter replacement work. In addition, by providing a temporary fixing portion on the inlet tube or cleaner case, additional parts are not required, and the intake air flow is not obstructed by the temporary fixing portion.

[0044] In the second embodiment, the cleaner case has a work window (52) through which the filter can be inserted and removed, and the temporary fastening portion is exposed from the work window in a side view. With this configuration, the temporary fastening portion is easily visible from the work window, and the attachment and detachment of the linear fastener to the temporary fastening portion becomes easier.

[0045] In the third embodiment, as in the first or second embodiment, the cleaner case is formed with a work window through which the filter can be inserted and removed, and in a side view, one end of the linear fixing device (loop portion 82) is exposed through the work window. With this configuration, one end of the linear fixing device is easily visible or grasped through the work window, and the fixing and release of the filter by the linear fixing device is made easier.

[0046] In the fourth aspect, in the third aspect, with the linear fastener held in place by the temporary fastening portion, one end of the linear fastener is positioned on the work window side of the inlet tube, and in a side view, one end of the linear fastener is positioned behind the front end of the inlet tube. With this configuration, one end of the linear fastener is easier to see or grasp through the work window, and fixing and releasing the filter with the linear fastener becomes easier. One end of the linear fastener is less likely to interfere with the filter replacement work through the work window.

[0047] The fifth embodiment is one of the first to fourth embodiments, wherein the cleaner case has a work window through which a filter can be inserted and removed, the linear fixing device is provided with a handle portion (84) that receives the operation of the linear fixing device, and the handle portion is located on the work window side of the inlet tube when the linear fixing device is held in place by the temporary fixing portion. With this configuration, the operability is improved by providing a handle portion on the linear fixing device. In addition, because the handle portion is located on the side of the inlet tube, the handle portion is less likely to interfere with the filter replacement work through the work window.

[0048] The sixth embodiment is one of the first to fifth embodiments, wherein the cleaner case has a work window through which a filter can be inserted and removed, the inlet tube has an elliptical cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction, and a temporary fastening portion is provided from the front of the inlet tube to the side facing the work window. With this configuration, the temporary fastening portion extends to the side of the inlet tube, improving the visibility of the temporary fastening portion from the work window and making it easier to hold the linear fastener.

[0049] Although this embodiment has been described, other embodiments may include combinations of the above embodiment and its modifications, either entirely or partially.

[0050] Furthermore, the technology of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and may be modified, substituted, or transformed in various ways without departing from the spirit of the technical idea. Moreover, if the technical idea can be realized in a different way by advances in the technology or by other derived technologies, it may be implemented by that method. Accordingly, the claims cover all embodiments that may fall within the scope of the technical idea. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0051] 50: Air cleaner 51: Cleaner Case 52: Work window 54: Inlet tube 55: Temporary fastening part 71: Filter 72: Holder 81: Spring 82: Loop section (one end of the spring) 84: Handle section

Claims

1. An air cleaner in which a filter is installed inside the cleaner case, The cleaner case includes an inlet tube for taking in air, A holder for holding the filter inside the cleaner case, The device comprises a linear fixing device for clamping and fixing the filter between the holder and the device, The air cleaner is characterized in that the inlet tube or the cleaner case has a temporary fixing portion formed therein that can hold a part of the linear fixing when the filter is released from the linear fixing.

2. The cleaner case has a work window through which the filter can be inserted and removed. The air cleaner according to claim 1, characterized in that the temporary fastening portion is exposed from the work window when viewed from the side.

3. The cleaner case has a work window through which the filter can be inserted and removed. The air cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in a side view, one end of the linear fixing device is exposed from the work window.

4. The air cleaner according to claim 3, characterized in that, while the linear fixing device is held in place by the temporary fixing portion, one end of the linear fixing device is located on the work window side of the inlet tube, and in a side view, one end of the linear fixing device is located behind the front end position of the inlet tube.

5. The cleaner case has a work window through which the filter can be inserted and removed. The linear fixing device is provided with a handle portion for receiving operation of the linear fixing device. The air cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the handle portion is located on the work window side of the inlet tube while the linear fixing device is held in place by the temporary fixing portion.

6. The cleaner case has a work window through which the filter can be inserted and removed. The cross-section of the inlet tube perpendicular to the axial direction is formed in an elliptical shape. The air cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the temporary fastening portion is provided from the front surface of the inlet tube to the side surface on the work window side.

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